Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse.
Argylle is a 2024 spy action comedy directed by Matthew Vaughn, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, and Bryan Cranston. The story follows Elly Conway, an introverted spy novelist who discovers her fictional stories about Agent Argylle are eerily similar to real covert operations.
UNDER THE LENS: NARRATIVE STRUCTURE AND PRODUCTION DESIGN
Narrative Structure: The film’s meta-narrative approach, bouncing between reality and fiction, creates an initially intriguing puzzle box. However, the multiple layers of deception and reality become increasingly convoluted, often at the expense of coherence. The twists pile up rapidly in the third act, threatening to collapse under their own weight.
Production Design: The film’s strongest element is its vibrant, stylized world. The fictional spy sequences featuring Cavill’s Argylle pop with saturated colors and retro-futuristic tech. The contrast between Elly’s mundane world and the glamorous spy fantasy is well executed through distinct visual palettes. The attention to detail in both worlds helps sell the reality-versus-fiction premise.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sam Rockwell’s charismatic performance anchors the more outlandish elements
- The innovative action choreography, particularly in the skating rink sequence
- Clever use of visual effects to transition between reality and fantasy
QUOTABLE QUOTE
Elly Conway: “Just because it’s fiction doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
How much of our understanding of espionage comes from spy fiction? Where does fantasy end and reality begin?
CONCLUSION
Argylle aims for cleverness but sometimes misses the mark of genuine wit. Vaughn’s signature style is evident in the action sequences and visual flair, but the plot becomes too enamored with its own complexity. While Howard brings charm to Elly’s fish-out-of-water journey, the character’s transformation feels rushed. The film’s ambitious mixing of reality and fiction provides some entertaining moments, though the resolution may leave audiences more confused than satisfied. Despite its flaws, Argylle delivers enough spectacle and charm to entertain, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Vaughn’s previous spy offerings.
